Page 180 of Where Darkness Falls

“I know,” she sighs. “But a wise friend recently reminded me that they’re at peace, and one day I’ll be reunited with them. It’d be cruel to bring them back to this realm,, knowing my life was never in Aurelius. I’ve always thought I was made for something more.”

“Where would we go?” I ask.

“I have a friend that has a safe place for us,” she answers vaguely, pulling out of my embrace.

I smile. She’s always been clever, but I still have so many questions… like who’s this mysterious friend? I’m about to ask her as much when hissing reminds me where we are.

“Assss sssickening assss thissss hassss been to watch,” the Basilisk interrupts, “your timesssss almosssst up. Ssssssoo, if you want the gem, you mussssst agree to the termssssss.”

The serpent isn’t wrong, the red lights have dimmed even since the last flicker.

Maeva straightens her posture and nods. “Bring me the Crógemma, Basilisk,” she responds. “I agree to your terms.”

The wicked creature hisses in delight, diving back into the watery depths. Moments later, the Basilisk reemerges with a circular diadem of dark ruby stones slid onto one of its fangs. “Allow my fang to pierce your palm, and the Crógemma will drop freely into your grasp if you’re the one that it seeks,” it hisses.

Maeva rubs her hands together.

“And if I’m not who the Crógemma seeks?” she inquires.

The serpent grins widely. “Prick your hand, Chosssssen Daughter.”

“No tricks?” Maeva asks.

“You have my word,” the Basilisk replies.

“Very well,” she sighs.

The Basilisk lowers its head to the steps, opening its enormous mouth to elongate its sharp fangs. Maeva shakily holds out the palm of her hand, allowing the serpent to nick her skin, drawing a small pool of blood. Slowly, the blood travels up the extended fang until it reaches each of the rubies. One by one the gems fill with blood, gleaming in a brilliantly luminescent shade of crimson. Then, just as the Basilisk promised, the diadem drops into Maeva’s waiting hand.

Raw power pulsates from the Crógemma. The power feels neither evil nor righteous, but instead, something that could be altered depending on the wielder. I cut my gaze to Maeva and shecan’t tear her eyes away from it. Her features twist and contort with such sorrow that I fear the Crógemma is hurting her. “Maeva?” I ask.

She rotates the Crógemma, her eyes never straying from the rubies, as if mesmerized. “I know this diadem,” she murmurs. “I’ve held this before, a long time ago.” She slowly lifts her head, eyes searching. “I think it has something to do with my life before Aurelius.”

My heart plummets as the lights grow dimmer. I pull on her arm in an attempt to get her to climb the stairs, but she’s steadfast. “Maeva, we have to go,” I warn.

She ignores me, holding the diadem toward the Basilisk. “Who gave this to you?” Maeva inquires. “You said it was placed here, so who brought it to you?”

A cruel smile crosses its face, as it hisses its response. “You should know, because you were here when it was given.”

“Maevriana, where are you?” a tall, handsome man with strawberry-blonde hair calls out.

I giggle quietly from my hiding spot, so sure that he’ll never find me. I’ve been sitting here for over fifteen minutes, and he still hasn’t discovered me.

“Hmmm, where did my darling Maevriana go?” his voice echos, closer this time.

I watch his piercing ocean-blue eyes, mirroring my own, roam over the area. Somehow they skate right past where I currently linger. Then, he rounds the corner, calling for me again.

I smirk as I exit from my spot, thinking I’ve bested him at last… that is, until two large hands scoop me up.

I squirm in his arms as he tickles me. “I found you,” he beams.

I squeal as his melodious laugh fills the chamber. It’s my favorite sound in the whole realm.

“Father, put me down,” I snort.

The man gently sets my feet on the floor, taking my small hand in his own.

“Come,” he grins. “I have something I must show you.”